ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Former front-runner for a seat on the NCUA Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary Gilbert Gonzalez has withdrawn his name from consideration, NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar told Credit Union Times. The chairman said that Gonzalez had informed him and the White House confirmed that he no longer wanted to be considered for the position, citing ongoing projects at USDA. Dollar said Gonzalez told him he needed to do one job or the other and that the nomination process was moving so slowly, he decided to withdraw his name. Gonzalez did not respond to a request for comment. Dollar added, "They have asked me to stay on into early 2004 and I have agreed to do so." He said the White House assured him that filling the NCUA Board seat Dollar occupies, which expired in April, would return to the highest priority and could be accomplished in relatively short order. Dollar said that he is unsure whether some of the same candidates from the first time around would resurface or not. However, the White House worked closely with Dollar in their selection of Gonzalez and sources indicate that relationship will continue as the vetting process starts anew. The chairman has stated publicly that he would like to have someone with credit union experience serve in the seat he will be vacating. Other potential nominees that were floated previously included Alaska USA Federal Credit Union Vice President Nancy Usera, Lockheed Employees Federal Credit Union President Ed Collins, Arizona Banking Commissioner Richard Houseworth, and Wyoming lobbyist Dan Sullivan. "[T]he process to fill the open seat continues," CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica said, "and credit unions have an opportunity to see a nominee be named for the open seat with credit union experience as allowed by statute. Until that nominee is selected, we look forward to working with Chairman Dollar for the duration of his tenure, as well as continuing to work with the other board members." NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker added, "We have and continue to emphasize to the White House the importance of maintaining a full complement on the NCUA Board. In the interim, we are very much appreciative of Chairman Dollar's continued willingness to serve on the NCUA Board." Both credit union trade organizations complimented the president on his two previous appointees to the NCUA Board: Vice Chair JoAnn Johnson and Board Member Deborah Matz. [email protected]